RD Applicants: Interview Advice - Page 7

AdmissionsAddict · 10-12-2007, 11:40 AM

Bumping because I've seen a few posters with questions about alumni interviews. This thread contains answers to most of the frequently asked questions. If you have more questions on alumni interviews, please post them here.

AdmissionsAddict · 10-15-2007, 07:02 PM

Bumping for johnxwang.

AdmissionsAddict · 10-24-2007, 01:03 AM

bumping for whiteee.

cj_svu6 · 10-24-2007, 09:28 PM

AdmissionsAddict, I just did my on-campus interview yesterday and I had a couple questions, if you don't mind. First, how much of the content of the interview does the admissions committee find out- do they just hear about your behavior, personality, etc. or do they hear about your answers. I ask because my reason for applying to Yale was a lot better in the interview than what I wrote on my application and I would love for the admissions committee to hear it. Additionally, I am planning to write a thank-you note and I was always taught that it was better to write a note by hand, but the interviewer gave me her email address and told me to feel free to email her, so would it be okay to send her a thank-you via email? Finally, I thought the interview went pretty well, but I did stumble over one or two sentences- will the interviewer take into account the fact that it can be an intense or uncomfortable situation to be interviewed? I think I am worried over nothing, but I wanted to make sure. Thanks- this thread has been very helpful!

AdmissionsAddict · 10-25-2007, 11:47 AM

What the interviewer writes in the report depends on the interviewer. I try to back up the adjectives I used to describe the applicant--intellectually curious, arrogant, etc--with examples of what they said during the interview. I usually include a sentence or two indicating why the person wants to attend Yale, but I'm sure not everyone does that.

Stumbling over a sentence or two is NOTHING to worry about.

I think a handwritten note is nice, but I tend to be very old school. Since on-campus interviews are with students, I think an email thank you would be more appropriate than for an adult. Your interview report will probably be in anyway so your thank you won't matter.

AdmissionsAddict · 10-25-2007, 08:37 PM

bumping for rockthewer22.

Folks, please put all interview questions here so this thread can be as comprehensive as possible for people with common interview questions.

cj_svu6 · 10-30-2007, 04:52 PM

Thanks for the response, AA!

riverrunner · 10-30-2007, 08:15 PM

Thanks, AA. I pulled the highlights from this thread into a file for my DD. Very helpful.

superstresseddd · 10-30-2007, 10:14 PM

i just had my interview today. very lax!
basically, i asked more qtions than she asked me and the qtions that she asked me were along the lines of: why do you want to go to yale, what is your greatest accomplishments, best and worst parts of langley, then we talked about other stuff

very fun, lasted an hour, seemed like 15 mins

twiggerific · 11-07-2007, 02:13 PM

if you've already had an on campus interview, what's the likelihood of being contacted for an alumni interview (scea)?

spiritus · 11-07-2007, 05:22 PM

How do you figure whether or not interviews are offered in your area?

AdmissionsAddict · 11-07-2007, 05:32 PM

twiggerific--It all depends on what's going on in your Alumni Schools Committee territory. People who haven't had an on-campus interview get first dibs in my area.

spiritus--Wait it out a couple weeks then call Yale and ask for your ASC Director's name and contact info. Interview reports are due December 1, but you want to give your ASC Director time to call you first.

fringey323 · 11-07-2007, 07:22 PM

AdmissionsAddict-

First of all, thanks so much for taking the time to answer everyone's questions! I was curious as to what I can do if time passes and it doesn't look like I am going to get an interview... I am very passionate about Yale but I am not the strongest applicant they are going to see. I need an interview to distinguish myself because I am fairly articulate and speak comfortably with adults. What can I do to make sure I get an interview?

Thank you thank you thank you!

fringey323 · 11-07-2007, 07:23 PM

P.s. I live in Los Angeles and go to a school that Yale takes at least 10 or 12 kids from every year...

AdmissionsAddict · 11-07-2007, 08:00 PM

Fringey--See post #102 of this thread regarding calling your local ASC director. FYI, interviews don't count for much, so it won't be the thing that really sets you apart from the pack.